sunfloras | OPEN POST II

[ The thing about Southtown is that underneath all that glitzy and glamour the public sees hides the still dark and vile past of the town's criminal history. Sure, things have changed for the better... but any native to the city knows better than to hang out at certain spots and attract certain unsavory elements.

And this girl calling out to him out of the blue was definitely a person who seemed out of her element. ]

Huh? What is it? You lost or something?

[ And while Rock doesn't have as much clout in this town as Terry Bogard, he does at least has the know how on how to deal with issues himself. ]

You better do what you need to do soon. Later times mean the bad guys start to make a scene of the place... especially in these parts where some cops don't do anything here if their names aren't Mary Ryan or Kevin Rian.

Er.

[The girl pauses as if unsure of what her next move is going to be. She's clearly thinking of something, but it's hard to tell what on earth she wanted to ask. Directions seem like the most obvious but...]

It's not just that, it's just... I mean. Um. I need...

[She's struggling to find the right words as she pokes her fingers together and glances back and forth.]

... Could you...?

Could I... what? What is it?

[ Not that he is opposed to giving a helping hand to someone, but a part of him knows better than to fall for a pretty face in these parts. Plus her fidgeting around is also a bit odd, but not quite suspect yet. ]

Have we met? Do I owe you something or... does Terry owe you something he can't afford to at the moment? He's probably at the PaoPao Cafe if you're after him. If its me, just spit it out.

I mean... How should I say it...?

[There's an audible gulp and she looks straight at Rock. Her vivid blue eyes simmer with determination and uncertainty.]

You. It has to be you. Could you be...

...

Can you be my boyfriend?

[ And there it was. The record scratch to a halt. The glass breaking in the distance. The dramatic wind breezing through the streets. All that tropes of a surprise reveal all making themselves known the moment she made her request to Rock, that it had to be him.

There is just so much to unpack here!!! ]

[ And now he takes three steps back to give himself some space. ]

Moving fast for someone you've just met, aren't you? I don't even know your name, you know.

[Oh noooooooooo, Ai throws her hands up to cover her very red face.]

I-It's not what it sounds like honest! But I need help and you just happen to walk by and it would seem kind of believable and... Um!

I just need you to be my boyfriend for an hour! Maybe two!

Uh-huuuuuuuuuuh. I'm not sure what you think I am or what I do, but I'm not exactly an escort in the legal sense or "looking for a good time" sense either.

The time limit bit does make it sound more weird. Yet I am morbidly curious, so why specifically me? You got a stalker or something?

[Ai shakes her head and puts her hands down although she's still blushing from her bold demand. Lord knows she's had to improvise a lot when going freelance as an esper and this is probably one of those things she could never foresee herself doing.]

Well, the time limit is just so I don't keep you for too long. And no one's stalking me, I just need to get into that dance club down the street there...

[She points to the fancy night club not too far from where they're standing where all sorts of well-dressed party-goers are entering.]

I have a better chance of getting in if I'm with someone else.

[ He follows her pointed direction and then frowns deeply once he recognizes the night club in particular. ]

That's... that's a club that is owned by Mr. Big. He's not as powerful as he once was when Geese Howard was around... not sure if he has regained any of his previous power, but he is still a notorious mobster.

Trust me... whatever is in there, its best to leave it alone unless you're ready to fight for it tooth and nail. [ Not that he is refusing her, mind you. But its now obviously having him a bit on edge. ]

Rumors say that he's been in good behavior in the public eye, but... huh, might need to ask someone from the Kyokugen dojo if things get too nasty.

Oh, that dojo? I... Did happen to go visit that place because I wanted to ask questions, but they were kind of insistent about me being a student. Or something.

[She got very unnerved and decided to ask elsewhere in the end. Poor Kyoukugen dojo.]

In all honesty, I'm just worried about getting in. I can get out just fine. And this is Southtown! I wouldn't be here if I couldn't handle myself in a fight.

That sounds... pretty much accurate. Sounds like old man Sakazaki has been losing students again. Probably means he'll be swinging by to get a match with Terry.

[ He does rub the back of his head at her affirmation about defending herself, but two questions still remain. Namely: ]

But why do you want to get in there and why me in particular to be your pretend boyfriend? Something just doesn't seem right here.

W-Well. It would be weird if I just asked an older man and you look like you're around the same age as me?

[She starts poking her fingers together again.]

You look trustworthy enough.

Thanks, I guess? Still doesn't explain why you need to get in there but... sheesh, I guess I can at least accompany you inside.

Just don't expect me to do any dancing or get all clingy and affectionate, alright? Still don't know your name, so it'll be extra weird doing this with a stranger. What do you need me to do here?

[Her face lights up with relief and anticipation.]

Oh, thank you so much! This will be much easier to do with your help!

And you can call me Ai Thao or just Ai for short. Don't worry, I'm sure this actually won't take long or be too troublesome!

[Famous last words...?]

Edited 2020-09-03 02:03 (UTC)

Yeah, yeah. I get it. So let's get this over with. I'll just sneak out the back door or something... rather not be anywhere in a place owned by a Southtown mobster.

Sooo... Ai, then. Call me Rock. I don't know if my name will mean much of anything when the bouncer checks us in. If anything, it may get some unwanted attention. Just as a heads up. Anyway... [ Sorry Ai. No handholding or even an arm around you is coming from him. Social distancing from the opposite gender and all. ]

Let's get going.

Rock?

[She tilts her head and blinks unknowingly.]

That's a nice name!

[Ah, she doesn't know.

Anyway, she leads him to the nightclub while walking next to him to look a bit like a couple. She straightens out her skirt as they get in line and looks up at Rock.]

I have a backup plan if the bouncer eyes us funny, so don't worry about that either. When we get in, I just need to do my thing and it'll be all good.

Be ready to do it then. Nothing ever goes easy in these parts. Just give me a sign to know when you're doing your thing... or when you're done.

[ That obvious discomfort and uneasiness is definitely lingering in the air from his end as he shakily moves alongside with his "girlfriend."

It looks all fine and dandy until they reach to the check in with the bouncer. Who doesn't seem to recognize Rock, but Rock knows just who they are. And leans in a bit to whisper to Ai's ear for his little trivia knowledge about the guy. ]

Jack Turner. A real pain right here. He may try to coerce you into joining his crew... rumors say he's running a dance group instead of a gang himself, but this guy is one of the people the Kyokugen group isn't fond of. Just a heads up.

[Ai blinks, but nods at Rock's explanation.]

Well, if we're going to get in, we might as well make it the easy part...

[There's no time to waste. When Ai walks up to Jack turner with a cheerful smile on her face. She's gotten a bit better at acting natural in order to supplement her subterfuge skills.]

Good evening! It's just a party of two. We're on a date!

[And for a split second, her eyes flash and it's a subtle glow of violet; she's letting her power of suggestion do a bit of legwork for the next part.]

You're going to let us in for free!

[ The thing about Jack is that while he is a sizable opponent and somewhat of a D-list tier of bad guys, the fact that he was dumbfounded for a good second there and slowly shifted out of the way for the two to enter with a mumbled "Right this way."

And all of that? Was Very Weird. Like Super Very Weird. He has seen A Lot of things before in his life, but that was definitely different! So, like a normal person would react after he 'escorts' his not!date in, he says one thing that kept repeating in his head as soon as they were in and out of earshot. ]

What in the world was that?!

Hm?

[Ai doesn't answer Rock at first since she's scanning what she can make out of the crowded club for her target. Nothing yet.]

What was what? Is there a problem?

That thing you just did! That was that Psycho power or whatever, wasn't it? Are you with that psychic soldier idol group or something?

[ Now feeling like he's part of something bigger than he had even thought of, Rock raises a balled fist with a small swirl of his energy almost peeking out between his fingers. ]

Don't you think you could fill me in by now on what your goal is?

Ah!

[Ai is surprised that he noticed and is about to tell him to keep it down, but it seems no one has given them any attention due to the loud and energetic music that pounds against the walls and the dance floor.]

I-I'm a freelancer! No affiliation or anything and um... Oh!

[She's distracted again when she spots her target, a man wearing a hat and sitting at a table enjoying drinks with two ladies on each side, indulging him as he laughs loudly. Ai points at him and looks at Rock.]

Got him! I probably shouldn't go over by myself unless...

[she's looking at the dance floor and then back at Rock and back at the the dance floor GET THE HINT ROCK]

[ His eyes follows her gaze to see what the big deal behind this is all about... only to not really get a good look of the guy but they are obviously Very Popular. All in honesty, he's not feeling keen about things now ending smoothly... that is until two things happen.

Her words with her obvious hints, and the change of the music.

If she's eyeing at the guy and the dance floor, then there is one thing left to say: ]

... you serious? You gotta be joking. [ WELP. Never let it be said that he didn't try so... yeah. He's making his way to the dance floor too after undoing some zippers on his coat. ] Geez... let's get this over with.

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